Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major health problem, especially in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the effect of VAD from weaning to adulthood in apoE−/− mice. Three-week-old male mice were allocated into four diet groups: I. VAD II. VAD+vitamin A (VA), 1500 IU retinyl-palmitate; III. VAD+β-carotene (BC), 6 g/kg feed, containing 50% all-trans and 50% 9-cis BC. IV. VAD with BC and VA (BC+VA). After 13 weeks, we assessed the size of atherosclerotic plaques and measured VA in tissues and BC in plasma and tissues. VAD resulted in diminished hepatic VA levels and undetectable brain VA levels compared to the other groups. BC completely replenished VA levels in the liver, and BC+VA led to a two-fold elevation of hepatic VA accumulation. In adipose tissue, mice fed BC+VA accumulated only 13% BC compared to mice fed BC alone. Atherosclerotic lesion area of BC group was 73% lower compared to VAD group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BC can be a sole source for VA and inhibits atherogenesis.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of children in developing countries suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD) [1,2]
We demonstrated that BC from the alga Dunaliella bardawil compensated for VAD and repressed VAD induced-atherogenesis in adult mice
In the current study performed in apoE−/− mice after weaning, we have demonstrated that a
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of children in developing countries suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD) [1,2]. The association of VAD with cardiovascular risk factors has been studied in children, adolescents, and adults. Plasma vitamin A insufficiency was associated with obesity, lower levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic syndrome [6,7,8]. Other risk factors for VAD in the general population, include chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent pancreatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, iron deficiency and bariatric surgery [9,10,11,12,13,14].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
